What Is Après Ski? The Meaning, History, and How to do it in Vail.
Feb 22nd 2026
If you have ever searched “what is après ski” or “what does après ski mean,” you are asking one of the most important questions in mountain culture. Après ski is French. It literally means “after ski.”
But in ski towns like Vail, Colorado, après ski is not just a translation. It is a ritual. A rhythm. A celebration that begins the moment the lifts stop spinning.
It is that space between your last run and dinner. Your cheeks are cold. Your legs are tired. And you are not ready for the mountain day to end. That is après ski.
What Does Après Ski Mean?
At its core, après ski means gathering after skiing to relax, warm up, and connect.
In Vail it can look like:
-
Sitting on a sunny deck in Vail Village or Lionshead
-
Listening to live acoustic music at the base
-
Sharing drinks or hot chocolate with friends
-
Ice skating with your kids
-
Bowling with the kids at Bol
-
Cozying up by a fireplace indoors, or outdoors
Après ski is less about the drink and more about extending the experience of the mountain.
The History of Après Ski: Where Did It Start?
The history of après ski begins in the European Alps in the early 20th century. As skiing shifted from transportation to recreation, mountain villages in France, Austria, and Switzerland became gathering places for skiers at the end of the day.
By the 1950s and 1960s, après ski culture was firmly established in towns like:
-
St. Anton, Austria
-
Chamonix, France
-
Val d’Isère, France
-
Zermatt, Switzerland
Originally, après was practical. Skiing was cold and physically demanding. After hours on the mountain, people gathered in taverns and huts for warmth, food, and community.
Common alpine après traditions included:
-
Glühwein or mulled wine
-
Schnapps
-
Beer
-
Hearty mountain meals
Over time, Austria became known for high-energy après scenes. Skiers dancing in boots. Music blasting mid-afternoon. Packed patios buzzing with energy.
France developed a more refined version. Sun terraces. Long lunches. Stylish ski fashion.
When resorts like Vail opened in the 1960s, they were modeled after European alpine villages. Naturally, après ski culture came with them.
Today, American après ski in Vail blends European tradition with Colorado sunshine and community.
What to Wear for Après Ski in Vail
If you are wondering what to wear for après ski, think transition. You are moving from cold mountain air to warm restaurants. From snow to sunshine. From ski gear to social time. The best après ski attire is built around layering.
Après ski outfits should feel effortless, warm, and put together without trying too hard. After a full day on snow, the last thing you want is to feel bulky or uncomfortable. A smart après look starts with your baselayers. Quality women’s baselayers or leggings provide warmth without excess weight and make the transition from ski to social easy. One of the simplest tricks locals swear by is being able to take off your ski pants and pull an insulated skirt over your baselayers. This adds warmth around your hips and upper thighs without the restriction of snow pants, and instantly elevates your outfit.
Pair that insulated skirt with your favorite ski sweater, fleece, or technical midlayer over your baselayer top. The combination feels cozy and intentional while still nodding to your mountain style. Your ski jacket isn’t banished either — it still works beautifully layered over everything for warmth on chilly patios or windy decks.
Accessories finish the look. A classic beanie not only keeps ears warm but also hides helmet hair from a long day of skiing. If the sun is still out and you want a casual vibe, an outdoor DIVAS Après Trucker Cap is perfect for that bright Colorado light. Good socks and a switch from rigid ski boots into comfy snow boots or insulated winter boots will keep your feet happy long after skiing ends. The key to great après ski party attire is versatility: pieces that keep you warm, allow you to move easily, and take you from sunny decks to cozy indoor spots without missing a beat.
Where to Après Ski in Vail and Lionshead
Once you are dressed for it, Vail offers some of the best après ski in Colorado.
Sunny Decks
Garfinkel’s
A classic patio scene in Lionshead with high energy and mountain views.
The Chop House
Live music and ski-town buzz right at the bae of the gondola in Lionshead.
Classic ski town vibe with dog-friendly patio in Lionshead.
Cozy Indoor Spots
Tavern on the Square
Warm and welcoming. Perfect after a full ski day.
Pepi’s in Lionshead
Timeless alpine atmosphere with deep local and Austrian history.
Blu Cow
A Vail Village favorite with a lively patio, mountain views, and classic ski-town energy. Perfect for a relaxed drink and easy après vibes after a day on the slopes. Plus the only place to get a famous Swiss Hot Dog.
Family-Friendly Après
Arrabelle Ice Rink
Skate under the lights in the heart of Lionshead.
Deco + Bol
A fun and energetic après destination in Vail Village, Deca Bol blends great food, drinks, and bowling lanes. It’s the perfect way to extend your ski day with friends or family in a playful, social setting.
Après ski in Vail is not one thing. It is a range of experiences that reflect the personality of your group.
Why Après Ski Matters
So what is après ski, really?
It is the celebration of effort. It is the warmth after the cold. It is the stories shared after a powder day. It's a community.
It began in the Alps nearly a century ago. It evolved through Austrian energy and French style. And today in Vail, it remains one of the most important parts of mountain culture.
The right layers, insulated skirts, sweaters, beanies, and trucker caps make the transition seamless.
From first chair to final toast, après ski keeps the mountain magic alive.